Chapter 21 New Year's Eve Gala

Zhou Tian was lying on his bed taking a nap at noon when a message suddenly popped up in the Class 18 group chat, tagging everyone.

Zhang Chao @All Members: Our class needs to put on at least two performances for the New Year's Eve Gala – one duet and one group performance, or a solo act if necessary. If you have any ideas, you can message me privately. Girls can message He Meng.

Zhang Chao @All Members: You can suggest as many as you like. The school will hold auditions, so not everyone will pass.

After these two messages were sent, people in the group started offering suggestions.

Meanwhile, Chen Yuan's little basketball group, namely Tang Jian and Zhou Yu, were also chatting.

Zhang Chao @All Members: Everyone, decide according to your situation. If few people sign up, say something in the group.

Tang Jian: Got it. (50 cents per line, parentheses deleted, hehe)

Zhou Yu: You little b*stard, why are the parentheses still there? No money for you!

"New Year's Eve Gala, huh..."

This was the kind of thing you could participate in, but it wasn't mandatory. Just like the previous basketball game, Chen Yuan was pretty casual about it.

But this time, there was no need to research opponents beforehand.

Well, not really. If the previous performer wailed like a dolphin, showing off his high e6 skills, what would I even do up there?

It could only be said that whether or not this thing had any face depended entirely on the performance of the previous contestant.

If it was garbage, then I would be set off a bit, becoming a delicacy.

Or maybe two heaps of garbage, neck and neck.

Since it's our New Year's Eve Gala, will Xia Xinyu, who also has a New Year's Eve Gala that day, come or not?

Just as he was thinking this, He Meng suddenly sent Chen Yuan a message.

He Meng: I heard from Zhang Chao that you sing pretty well!

Chen Yuan: Just so-so. If you're looking for a duet partner, I suggest Tang Jian. He's really good and can also play the piano.

He Meng: That... I'm 1.7 meters tall.

So what if you're 1.7 meters tall?

He Meng: And, I have to wear high heels.

Chen Yuan: That's a bit tall indeed. If you're looking for a male partner, he'd have to be at least 1.8 meters.

He Meng: So, I'm just asking for your opinion.

He Meng: Of course, you have to tell your girlfriend, because there will be short rehearsals after school every day.

Chen Yuan: Okay.

Chen Yuan: Wait, what do I need to tell my girlfriend? This definitely depends on my attitude.

He Meng: Okay, okay, let's just say it depends on your attitude.

Hey, what's with that tone?

Looking down on the family status of Southeast men, huh?

Just because I haven't used the Southeast Men meme in a while, don't think Xinyu can turn the world upside down.

Getting out of bed, putting on his slippers, Chen Yuan deleted the last two messages from each of them. He went next door, knocked on the door, and then opened it, watching Xia Xinyu slowly sit up from the bed, stretching her arms wide. Chen Yuan smiled and said, "Did I disturb your sleep?"

Xia Xinyu smiled and shook her head, then continued to spread her arms out.

And so, he walked over.

To meet Xia Xinyu's big hug.

"What's wrong?" Xia Xinyu rubbed her eyes and asked Chen Yuan.

"The school's New Year's Eve Gala. Our English representative wants to find a male duet partner and asked if I could."

After Chen Yuan finished speaking, he handed his phone to Xia Xinyu to look at.

She looked at the chat history and then exclaimed in surprise, "1.7 meters? That's tall."

"So there aren't many choices in the class that fit that height range."

"And she chose you, also considering other factors, right?"

"What factors?"

"A good-looking face," Xia Xinyu said with a smile.

"...Then what do you think?" Chen Yuan asked.

"Whatever you decide is fine." After Xia Xinyu finished speaking, she asked with a bit of curiosity, "Have I met this girl?"

"I don't know, you might have seen her at the basketball game."

"Is she pretty?" Xia Xinyu, sitting on the bed, suddenly put her arm around Chen Yuan's shoulders, staring into his eyes and asked.

"Well, if I use Xinyu as an example..."

"Don't use Xinyu as an example."

Xia Xinyu interrupted Chen Yuan's speech, particularly understandingly saying, "Give me something real. If Tang Siwen is 10, Zhou Fu is 9, Li Youyou is 7, about how much is He Meng?"

"Like that, huh..." Chen Yuan thought for a while and then fell into contemplation.

"Also, excluding personal preferences."

"No preferences, I don't have any preferences for any of these people," Chen Yuan explained.

"Don't be so politically correct, I'm not talking about setting aside relationships and giving a fair evaluation."

After Xia Xinyu said this, Chen Yuan understood roughly.

At the same time, he had a measure in his heart.

If we're just talking about faces, Zhou Fu and He Meng are actually pretty similar. Although they have different types of appearances, their looks are a 50-50 split.

But Chen Yuan felt that Zhou Fu being a 9 must have some other outstanding advantages.

What are those two outstanding advantages?

Good answer, I don't know.

Therefore, you have to give a comprehensive evaluation.

"8 points, I guess." After thinking about it, Chen Yuan said, "About 92 points less than Xinyu."

"Hmph, hmph." Xia Xinyu hummed twice with a smile and nodded, "Actually, this still depends on you. If you think you can agree, then agree. Of course, I'm happy that you asked me, but I also think you should go and leave a strong mark in high school... two marks... three marks, I don't even know how many marks it is already."

"Then, what do you think about the song selection?" Chen Yuan asked.

"As long as it's not a sappy love song that makes others think you two are a match made in heaven, the official wife has no objections," Xia Xinyu said quite generously.

Official wife?

Can I open a harem?!

Of course, I'm just surprised by this sentence, not excited or anything.

I never thought about opening a harem anyway.

"Then, will you be able to come to our school that day?" Chen Yuan looked into her eyes, actively and earnestly inviting her.

"Huh?" Xia Xinyu froze for a moment, puzzled, "You want me to come?"

"I only want to participate if you come," Chen Yuan truthfully confessed.

But actually, he said it too early, because it hasn't been determined yet whether they can pass the audition.

"This..." Xia Xinyu thought for a moment, and then said, "Okay, I'll skip class and come!"

"Okay." Chen Yuan gave an OK gesture.

"Then I'll change my clothes, and I'll go find you to study together later," Xia Xinyu said.

"Okay, change then."

Chen Yuan watched Xinyu, who was sitting on the bed wearing pajamas, and said cheerfully.

Xinyu blushed, unbuttoned the first three buttons of her pajamas, and a light blue edge appeared.

At the same time, there was also a shallow, pure, and traceless valley in the snow-white mountains, as if emitting the fragrance of plum blossoms...

"Okay." Xia Xinyu stretched out her hand, making a 'no' gesture, "Today's edge is over here."

As a reward for deleting those provocative streamers, Xia Xinyu particularly generously agreed to occasionally give Chen Yuan some edgings.

Moreover, the review mechanism could be slightly more lenient than on Douyin.

According to her words, since you have this kind of hobby, it would be a bit cruel to stifle it, so I won't be so selfish...

If you want to see it, just look at me.

It can only be said that Yuzi is a kind person.

Even if she's not that rich, she's generous.

"Give me a kiss."

Chen Yuan smiled faintly and stretched his face over. Xia Xinyu gave him a fierce 'mua'.

Then, Chen Yuan returned to his room, sat at his desk, and replied to He Meng.

Chen Yuan: Sure.

He Meng: Did your girlfriend agree?

What is this, what is this!

Didn't you hear what my girlfriend said?

Whether or not I agree mainly depends on me!

Of course, not everything needs to be said to others.

This kind of thing is something that those who understand will naturally understand, and it's no use telling those who don't...

No, I have to say it.

Chen Yuan: I agreed, after all, I'm grateful to the English representative for repeatedly helping me delay submitting homework.

He Meng: Indeed, before your English took off, it was especially difficult to collect your homework every time.

Chen Yuan: Oh.

He Meng: Haha, can you sing "Juan Zhu Lian"?

Chen Yuan: That song? No way, I can't sing it.

He Meng: Let's do that one, Shirley Liu suggested it. Otherwise, we can only sing love songs.

He Meng: Although you have a lot of status and have the final say with your girlfriend, I still want to find a boyfriend.

You little b*stard, being sarcastic, huh?

Chen Yuan: I might not be able to do it well.

He Meng: "Juan Zhu Lian + Scarborough Fair," search for Lin Zhixuan on Bilibili, I'll sing the English part, you sing the Chinese.

Chen Yuan: Holy sh*t, showing off skills?

He Meng: Of course, once Scarborough Fair comes out, my dating rights for two years will be in my hands.

He Meng is a very cheerful person with excellent interpersonal skills. She also pays attention to her words, and she has good looks, comparable to Zhou Fu, so she has always been popular, and there are many people pursuing her.

But this kind of person likes to talk big, saying they want a boyfriend, dating rights blah blah blah, but in reality, they are proud singles.

Her grades are also the third best in the class after Chen and Tang, a 600-point-range powerhouse.

She is a classmate who, like Chaozi (Zhang Chao), makes people feel comfortable.

Therefore, Chen Yuan is willing to help.

Chen Yuan: Okay, I'll try my best, but it might not be that good.

He Meng: It's okay, as long as we pass the auditions, we can get guidance from the music teacher, and the stage performance will be even stronger then.

Chen Yuan: Can we lip-sync?

He Meng: Then we'd have to record a usable audio clip first.

Chen Yuan: And then edit the sound.

He Meng: Don't think about such crooked ways, practice hard.

Chen Yuan: Okay, okay.

And so, Chen Yuan searched for this music and began to practice.

"Huh, is this the song you guys are going to perform?" Xia Xinyu asked after coming in.

"Yeah, I sing the Chinese and she sings the English," Chen Yuan said.

Xia Xinyu sat next to Chen Yuan, listening and nodding, and at the part where Scarborough Fair was inserted, she made an 'o' with her mouth, particularly amazed: "Singing this? Is her English that good?"

"She is the English representative after all."

"Awesome."

After Xia Xinyu said this, she opened her book next to Chen Yuan, preparing to review.

"Will I be bothering you?" Chen Yuan asked.

"I won't be." Xia Xinyu shook her head and said with a smile, "My attention is not easily distracted, don't worry about it."

"Okay, then I'll turn the volume down a bit."

Chen Yuan nodded and began to hum along.

At this time, the Three Musketeers group chat had an @all message pop up.

Liu Chengxi @All Members: Someone's here.

The winter's first wind joined the group chat.

Who the hell is this?

Shi Yi sent a [Dog tilting its head] meme.

Chen Yuan was also in this mood.

This is the Xia Hai Chosen Ones chat group, can just any trash join?

Liu Chengxi: Shen Yating.

But then again...

The ocean accepts all rivers, tolerance is a virtue.

As long as they are people who love to learn, what's wrong with exchanging ideas?

Of course, it's not because the other party is Xia Hai's number one female science warrior that Chen Yuan is intimidated.

We still have Xia Hai's number one little jealous pot next to us.

Shen Yating: Hello everyone.

Chen Yuan: Hello, hello.

But what's the point of adding a girl to our good Three Musketeers group?

This group isn't really going to pull in all of Xia Hai's Chosen Ones, is it?

That would be a bit too deliberate.

After all, some top students may not be able to play together with us.

Liu Chengxi: She said she wanted to join the group to discuss learning, so I let her in. Everyone see what name we should change it to.

Chen Yuan: Three Musketeers and a Dog.

This name is generally agreed upon.

Just like a dormitory group of six being called 'Five Sons', everyone always thinks they are the father.

Shi Yi: Are you targeting me?

However, after Shi Yi sent this message, Chen Yuan almost laughed his ass off.

Almost forgot, Brother Shi Yi is a fanatical supporter of dog memes.

Shen Yating: I think calling it Three Musketeers is fine.

Liu Chengxi: But there are four of us.

Shen Yating: Of the three, one is sure to be my teacher. (An idiom meaning that you can always learn from others)

Liu Chengxi: You mean, all three are teachers?

Chen Yuan: Suddenly became humble, everyone was quite arrogant to begin with.

Shi Yi: Only Chengxi is arrogant, right?

Shen Yating: You can still be arrogant in this group? @LiuChengxi

Liu Chengxi: No, how bad am I? I can at least rank in the top three!

Chen Yuan: Are you targeting me?

Shen Yating: You can catch up, wait until senior year to see, then it will be embarrassing for whoever's really at the bottom.

After she said this, completely ignoring the life and death of others, Chen Yuan was a little sweaty.

But he believes in Liu Chengxi, even more sweaty.

First of all, Shi Yi is unique throughout the ages.

Secondly, Shen Yating is steadily getting Liu Chengxi's easy points.

Then, the one who gets eliminated as fourth, isn't it between us?!

Why bring this woman in to join the male competition?!

Liu Chengxi: Then today, should we go to Zhou Fu's cafe to study?

Shi Yi: I'm okay with anything.

Liu Chengxi: @ChenYuan, are you coming?

Chen Yuan: Sorry, I have to practice singing.

Liu Chengxi: Practice singing?

Shen Yating: It should be for the New Year's Eve Gala.

Chen Yuan: You're right.

Liu Chengxi: You participate in such boring things?

Chen Yuan: Didn't anyone ask you to participate?

The Chosen One in the top five of the school, still a handsome guy over 1.8 meters, no one invited this popular figure to perform?

Shen Yating: At least seven or eight people want to sing a love song with him, there are only a few in the class.

Chen Yuan: Wow, so popular, Brother Chengxi?

Liu Chengxi: Boring, not interesting.

Getting cold now.

Logically speaking, isn't this a very honorable thing?

This kid isn't really uninterested in girls, is he?

Liu Chengxi: Oh, then let's go to Eleventh High to watch the New Year's Eve Gala on New Year's Day?

His suggestion made Chen Yuan a little nervous.

No, there's no need to support your brothers so much!

Shen Yating: You don't go to sing a duet with girls, but you run to Eleventh High to watch Chen Yuan perform, what's the purpose?

This woman wants to put Lao Tzu on the fire to roast!

Shen Yating, a bit Zhou Fu!

"Chen Yuan, isn't the air conditioner on? Why do you look a little sweaty?" Xia Xinyu came over and asked in confusion.

"Uh this..." Chen Yuan couldn't say.

Then, Xia Xinyu saw that there was one more person in the group chat on his phone, also noted as Shen Yating, and curiously said: "Another 700-point academic god!"

"You join the group too," Chen Yuan took the initiative to invite.

"How can I be so embarrassed, I'm a 600-point academic scum..." Xia Xinyu quickly refused.

For Xia Xinyu, this circle is a bit high-end.

Her man does have this level and wouldn't be awkward discussing questions in it, but she herself, let alone the top ten in Xia Hai, can't even reach the top thirty in her class, so of course she can't resonate with these top players.

Although there is Shen Yating inside, she is the strongest female science warrior in Xia Hai, and not many boys are stronger than her.

"They also want to come to the school to watch you perform?" Xia Xinyu looked at the chat again and felt quite novel.

"I don't know what he's thinking..." Chen Yuan expressed his incomprehension.

"Because Liu Chengxi thinks you're his best friend."

"How is that possible, he's so popular at school, he should have some friends..."

"But he doesn't watch his friends' performances, he wants to come to Eleventh High to watch you," Xia Xinyu reminded with a smile, "Right?"

After she said this, Chen Yuan gradually realized.

The first time he met Liu Chengxi before, he didn't really like him, because this guy was quite arrogant. After hearing about his 106 points, he directly revealed ignorance.

Perhaps this guy really likes the strong.

And among these strong people, Shi Yi and his personality made him feel recognized.

Therefore, he values this new small circle quite a bit.

That also makes sense.

Just like on the internet, there are many group chats, but there is always one small group that is as comfortable as going home.

Chen Yuan: Then come on, Xia Hai's Chosen Ones come to Eleventh High to express some guidance.

Shi Yi: Our class has a chorus and can't go.

Liu Chengxi: Then let's do this, I'll go to Eleventh High to watch, and Shen Yating will go to Fourth High to watch.

Shen Yating: ?

Chen Yuan: ?

Shi Yi sent a dog tilting its head meme.

………

Shen Yating was angered.

Therefore, without even putting on a coat, wearing only a sweater, she left the room.

Going to the elevator, to Liu Chengxi's door, and then knocking on the door.

After a while, an aunt opened the door.

Shen Yating should have been polite, but she didn't want to speak now.

Therefore, the aunt turned her head back: "Chengxi, there's a girl looking for you."

"Girl? Say I'm not here."

"...Okay, come over here." The mother said awkwardly.

After a while, Liu Chengxi came: "Yo, why are you here?"

Seeing that the two knew each other, Liu Chengxi's mother returned to her room.

After she left, Shen Yating directly questioned: "Why did you send that in the group?"

"Which one?" Liu Chengxi asked.

Shen Yating took out her phone, pointed to the strange thing he sent, and questioned: "This, what do you mean?"

"Didn't you join the group because you admired Shi Yi?" Liu Chengxi asked in confusion.

"Who told you that!" Shen Yating said angrily.

"Ah? Then could it be..." Liu Chengxi froze for a moment, and then looked terrified, "Chen Yuan has a girlfriend, that's not okay."

"Who told you it was Chen Yuan!"

Shen Yating was so angry that she directly stood on tiptoe, grabbed Liu Chengxi's collar, and stared at this idiot with gritted teeth.

"I understand..."

Liu Chengxi seemed to suddenly realize something, and his tone suddenly became heavy.

Shen Yating was stunned by what he said, and her hands loosened a bit. Then, she asked back: "You, what do you understand?"

"You joined this group because..."

"..."

Shen Yating became nervous, and even looking into his eyes became a bit guilty.

Until,

"You have no friends?" Liu Chengxi seriously guessed.

Shen Yating's face went from nervous to confused, then to angry, and finally out of anger came a kind of powerlessness.

Letting go, she laughed angrily, pointing at Liu Chengxi: "Very good, high EQ."

"My EQ and IQ are both high."

"You're so high you..."

Shen Yating almost blurted out a swear word, but held back.

Just as she turned around to go back, a hand suddenly rested on her shoulder and asked: "Then you joined the group, is it because of me?"

Shen Yating paused, her cheeks gradually flushing red.

But because she was facing away, she made a disdainful smile and said: "Narcissist, what are you thinking about."

"Oh, then I'm relieved," Liu Chengxi suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

Relieved?

What does this sentence mean?

Shen Yating slowly turned around, looking at Liu Chengxi, who was still expressionless, looking very smart but actually a super idiot: "You don't think you're really some kind of Prince of No. 1 High, do you?"

"Of course I don't think that, who would think that way."

"Then what are you relieved about?"

"Because you're my opponent," Liu Chengxi said with fighting spirit, "I want to win you fair and square."

Sigh, idiot.

Shen Yating really wanted to send a finger pointing to a clown emoji.

But then she thought that this person's advantage was also here.

Shen Yating saw how popular Liu Chengxi was, and then like the Monkey King, not touching a single leaf among the thousands of flowers.

Perhaps for him, she is also the kind of uninteresting girl.

No, for him, she is an interesting opponent.

"Then are you going to Eleventh High to watch the New Year's Eve Gala?" Liu Chengxi asked.

"I'm not like you who likes Chen Yuan, why would I go there."

Liu Chengxi's face turned red all of a sudden, and he quickly retorted: "What are you talking about? I'm a boy!"

If you don't like it, just deny it directly, why are you blushing?

You didn't even blush when you asked me just now.

This person is too gay.

"That, come in and eat oranges?" At this time, Liu Chengxi's mother came out and said with a smile.

Shen Yating smiled and waved her hand: "Ah, this is no trouble..."

"Come in."

Liu Chengxi, like some domineering CEO, left a sentence and then turned around and sat on the sofa.

"..." Shen Yating had no choice but to sit over as well.

The coldness then struck, making her sneeze.

Liu Chengxi glanced at her, then got up and went to the room.

Then, he picked up a khaki cardigan sweater and handed it to her.

Shen Yating was stunned, then took it: "Thank you for Auntie's clothes."

"What the heck, this is mine."

"No, you're a boy, why are you wearing something so girly?" Shen Yating showed a surprised look.

Although this dress may be very suitable for him...

"Hmph." Liu Chengxi glanced at her and didn't pay attention to her anymore.

Then he peeled the oranges, and also picked off the white veins on the oranges.

Wearing this cardigan sweater, Shen Yating increasingly felt that this guy was a little princess.

Moreover, it is the kind of homophobic, delicate, and arrogant little princess.

"Here." After Liu Chengxi finished peeling the oranges, he divided half to Shen Yating, then lowered his head and looked at his phone.

"..." Taking the cleanly peeled oranges, Shen Yating was stunned, looking at the beautiful sweater on her body, a smile gradually floated on the corner of her mouth.

The reason why she pays attention to Liu Chengxi, first of all, is indeed because he is good-looking.

At the same time, she also felt that his character of resolutely rejecting girls he doesn't like is not bad.

Plus in terms of personality...

It's indeed a bit cute.

Forget it, an idiot is an idiot.

People always have to have some shortcomings.

Just as she was thinking this, Liu Chengxi suddenly laughed to himself.

Shen Yating was puzzled, but looked at the group chat and found that this guy was smiling like this after chatting with Chen Yuan.

Her fist tightened...

(End of chapter)